Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Prazosin(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Prazosin
Minipress
Alpha-1 Adrenergic Blocker
FDA-approved indications
- Hypertension (adults)
Off-label uses
- PTSD nightmares
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Raynaud's phenomenon
Half-life2 to 3 hours
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Prazosin
Consider when
- PTSD-associated nightmares — strongest evidence for any agent in reducing trauma-related nightmares and sleep disturbance
- PTSD with comorbid hypertension — α1-blockade provides dual benefit; antihypertensive plus nightmare reduction
- Nightmare frequency is treatment-limiting — prazosin targets adrenergic hyperarousal specifically during REM sleep
- Adjunct to SSRI/SNRI for PTSD — complementary mechanism addresses nightmares not well-controlled by antidepressants alone
- +1 more
Consider an alternative when
- Orthostatic hypotension risk — significant first-dose hypotension; gradual titration required; falls risk in elderly
- Normotensive or hypotensive patient — BP-lowering may cause symptomatic hypotension at therapeutic nightmare-reduction doses
- PRAZO trial result — large VA RCT (PRAZO) was negative for primary endpoint; efficacy debate ongoing
- Driving or operating machinery — dizziness and drowsiness may impair; especially during titration
- +1 more
| Axis | Prazosin alpha-1-blocker |
|---|---|
| CNS | |
Sedation / somnolence | |
Dizziness | |
Fatigue / lethargy | |
Headache | |
| Autonomic | |
Orthostatic hypotension | |
| Cardiac | |
Heart rate / tachycardia | |
| GI | |
Nausea / GI (general) | |
| GU | |
Priapism | |
| Drug-specific / distinctive axes | |
Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS — surgical) only in Prazosin | |